Darren Soto lands endorsement of Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló

KISSIMMEE – Democratic U.S. Rep. Darren Soto received some high-profile support Saturday in his bid for re-election.

The incumbent representative in Congress District 9 landed the backing of Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló just 10 days before Soto faces challenger Alan Grayson in a hotly contested Democratic primary.

Soto, 40, said he appreciated the endorsement but that he also hopes to continue to represent the entire district, which includes areas of Kissimmee, St. Cloud, Winter Haven and Yeehaw Junction.

“I represent the hopes and the diversity of this district,” said Soto, noting that he lives within the 9th district he represents. “It is critical to understand not only Puerto Ricans but the entire Hispanic community around here.”

Soto in 2016 became the first person of Puerto Rican descent to be elected to Congress in Florida.

Marco Santana / Orlando Sentinel

Darren Soto and Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello meet with constituents on Saturday. Rossello offered his support to Soto in his heated race for re-election.

Darren Soto and Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello meet with constituents on Saturday. Rossello offered his support to Soto in his heated race for re-election. (Marco Santana / Orlando Sentinel)

Grayson, 60, of Windermere, vacated the position Soto now has in 2016 to pursue a failed bid for a U.S. Senate seat.

In a statement from campaign manager Brook Hines, Grayson renewed attacks on Soto’s work in Congress.

“There is no endorsement that would allow Darren Soto to escape his own terrible record,” the statement read, noting that Soto had once received an “A” rating from the National Rifle Association.

But last month, Soto received the endorsement of the Giffords Group, a gun control group helmed by former Arizona Democratic Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who was severely wounded in a 2011 shooting that killed six.

In the statement, Hines also accused Soto of betraying Puerto Rico by holding fundraisers as the island recovered from Hurrican Maria.

“There were two great tragedies that hit Central Florida and Puerto Rico last year: the hurricanes and the miserable failure of Donald Trump and Darren Soto to provide relief,” she said.

A Spectrum News Florida survey of 875 registered Democrats last week showed Soto, of Kissimmee, with a 7-point lead in the closed primary.

The winner will face businessman Wayne Liebnitsky, who is running unopposed on the Republican side, in the Nov. 6 general election.

At a small gathering at Melao Bakery in Kissimmee, Rosselló said he supported Soto because the rookie Congressman helped land government assistance after Hurricane Maria battered Puerto Rico last year.

“He’s a fighter,” Rosselló said. “He pushed back on leasing and housing problems Puerto Ricans have had in the states.”

Soto said he became close to Rosselló, who was sworn in as governor on Jan. 2, 2017, one day before Soto was sworn into Congress, months before Hurricane Maria would batter the island.

“We are culturally and economically tied between Central Florida and Puerto Rico,” Soto said. “A prosperous Puerto Rico is a prosperous Central Florida and vice versa. A lot of folks have arrived and that has reminded us that we have this cultural bond.”